The use of adult stem cells in rebuilding the human face

BACKGROUND: Stem cells have been isolated from a variety of embryonic and postnatal (adult) tissues, including bone marrow. Bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs), which are non-blood-forming cells in marrow, contain a subset of skeletal stem cells (SSCs) that are able to regenerate all types of skeletal tissue: bone, cartilage, blood-supportive stromal cells and marrow fat cells. METHODS: Bone marrow suspensions are placed into culture for analysis of their biological character and for expansion of their number. The resulting populations of cells are used in a variety of assays to establish the existence of an adult SSC, and the ability of BMSC populations to regenerate hard tissues in the craniofacial region, in conjunction with appropriate scaffolds. RESULTS: Single-cell analysis established the existence of a true adult SSC in bone marrow. Populations of ex vivo expanded BMSCs (a subset of which are SSCs) are able to regenerate a bone/marrow organ. In conjunction with appropriate scaffolds, these cells can be used to regenerate bone in a variety of applications. CONCLUSIONS: BMSCs have the potential to re-create tissues of the craniofacial region to restore normal structure and function in reconstructing the hard tissues of a face. Ex vivo expanded BMSCs with scaffolds have been used in a limited number of patients to date, but likely will be used more extensively in the near future.